Chapter Two
TJ
“Redding! Get in here!” TJ glanced at Miles Owens, who widened his eyes, then ducked his head.
TJ stood and walked over to Sheriff Gonzalez's office and stepped inside. Sheriff Diego Gonzalez nodded to the door and TJ shut it, then sat at his desk. Diego’s dark eyes narrowed, his nostrils flaring.
“Crompton has been at it again. Making that shit he likes to call vodka. I need you to go out there and confiscate it all or threaten him with arrest. Take that Miles Owens with you. He might learn a thing or two, the lazy bastard. We shouldn’t have to put up with men like him who can’t be bothered to put the effort in when it comes to this job. ”
Choosing to ignore the comments about Miles, TJ stood. “I’ll get right on it now, sir.”
“I want it put out of commission. Too many townsfolk are going there.” Diego’s brother ran one of the bars in Robinson, so if they were going to Crompton’s, then they weren’t going to his bar.
TJ walked out and caught Miles’ eye, nodding to the exit. Once they were outside, Miles blew out a breath. “Gonzalez didn’t sound too happy.” Running fingers through his chestnut hair, Miles’ hazel eyes narrowed.
Shaking his head, TJ unlocked the car and got in, waiting for Miles to get in the other side. “Crompton’s.”
“Oh. Has Diego’s brother seen a drop in business?”
“It isn’t as if Crompton is even selling it.
He brews it for himself, but everyone knows his is better than what Diego’s brother sells.
” Pulling away from the station, TJ drove to Crompton’s, which was the last place he wanted to go.
“Look, Miles.” TJ inhaled, then slowly released it.
He liked Miles. Saw the potential in him, but for some reason Diego detested the sight of him and wanted him out, which was something TJ couldn’t allow.
To him, it didn’t matter if he got along with the other person or not.
If they were good at the job and could work with other people without causing friction, then that was fine with TJ.
He’d worked with people who he hadn’t particularly liked, but he could be professional.
It was a job at the end of the day. He didn’t have to invite them to his house after.
“What is it?”
“Keep your nose clean. Diego has it in for you.”
Miles snorted. “Tell me something I don’t know. He’s hated me from the moment I walked in the station.”
“Yeah, and he’ll find a way to get rid of you. Any issues with paperwork or if you’re unsure about anything, come to me.”
“Thanks, TJ, but I don’t want to cause you any problems.” Miles stared out of the window and TJ could see the tension in his shoulders.
“I’m deputy. If he says anything, I’ll tell him all officers are my responsibility. You have a passion for this job, and I want you to do well. Let me handle Diego. Any problems with anything, run it by me, okay?”
Miles nodded, then sighed. “I always wanted to be an officer, and then I joined here, and I have to deal with him. Why do you think I put my name down for the overnight shifts?”
Yeah, it made sense. Why work during the day with Diego breathing down your neck when you could avoid him and work the late night shifts? “Smart move, but it shouldn’t have to be this way. I’ll figure something out. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Thanks. I mean it. You and the guys make it easier to come in some days.” Miles coughed. “Did you know he gave me a warning because—and I’m not joking—I forgot to cross a T in a word?”
TJ laughed, then looked at Miles and realized he was serious by the blank expression on Miles’ face. “Really? He gave you a warning over that? I thought you were joking.”
“No. I stood there, stunned, as he shouted at me. You know Rowlings?” TJ nodded.
Rowlings had left several months ago and hadn’t been replaced.
Apparently, they had virtually no money, so the remaining officers would have to provide cover.
“He left because of Diego. Told me when I went around there after he’d left.
Said he was fed up with having Diego kick off at him for minor things. ”
“Shit. He told me it wasn’t for him. He’d tried it and realized he didn’t like it, so he left.” TJ smacked the steering wheel. “Diego’s up for reelection in a couple of years.”
“Maybe you should go for it. You know we’d all back you.”
TJ hummed, then signaled to pull onto the road that ran to Crompton’s. “I’ll think about it, but it’s nice to know you guys would have me. I always wondered after I came out.”
“Some may have said something, but then we all saw you with Toni and the kids and now Carter.” Miles shrugged. “They got over it pretty quick, especially when you were spotted buying baby clothes.”
TJ grinned as he pulled to a stop near Crompton’s ranch. “I think I’m as excited as they are. I know Toni can’t wait to give birth. She’s at the fed-up stage now.”
Getting out, TJ put his hat on and grimaced when he saw Crompton waiting. “Morning.”
“Diego sent you, didn’t he?”
“Yeah.” TJ stepped onto the porch that ran the length of the property. “You know Miles.”
Crompton nodded. “I’m not selling it, so what’s his problem?”
TJ looked at Miles. He stepped forward and said, “You’re taking business away from his brother’s bar.”
“He shouldn’t sell shit then, should he?” Crompton bristled, even his wiry white beard seemed to grow larger. “It isn’t my fault he sells shit and overcharges.” Crompton’s dark eyes narrowed. “You tell him I’m not selling anything.”
“You still brew it.” TJ sighed.
“Tell him I’ll stop. Man has an over-inflated opinion of himself. As soon as he became sheriff, he thought he could order all of us around. Can’t wait for him to leave.” Crompton stared at TJ. “You planning on running for sheriff?”
“I might, when the right time comes.”
“Good. We need someone who treats people fairly. Make sure you go for it.” Crompton glared at them both. “You’ve seen me, so you both can get off my land now.”
TJ nodded. “Let’s go, Miles.”
In the car, TJ drove them back to the station. Sheriff Redding sounded good. Maybe he would go for it when the right time came.
***
“What’s he done?” TJ asked as soon as he entered Cass’ house.
He’d left work to come over, and waved to Toni and Carter when he spotted them.
He wiped his feet on the mat and hung his raincoat up by the door.
Taking his hat off, he grimaced as water rolled down his back.
The storm he’d been warned about had hit, and hard.
“He stole some of Emily’s jewelry and sold it.
He won’t tell us where he went or where the money is.
” Cass walked next to TJ as they entered the living room, or the first living room.
Cass had one of the better homes in Robinson.
A large five bed with three attached bathrooms. Two living rooms, a family room, a large kitchen and a dining room.
It made TJ feel cheap with his decent three bed house.
They entered the room Cody sat in, and he straightened, his eyes tracking TJ.
It made TJ feel like he was being stalked, even though Cody hadn’t moved an inch.
He took a seat near Cody and smiled at him, hoping to be reassuring.
Cody didn’t return the gesture but when Cass sat next to him, he noticeably stiffened, a move TJ saw and noted.
Cody’s hair was dirty, greasy, hanging down to his shoulders in thick locks, almost dreadlocked in appearance.
His clothes were ragged, dirty, with holes in them from what TJ would guess were falling rocks when smoking drugs.
His hands were dirty, the nails bitten down and the bones on each hand prominent, the skin appearing paper thin.
“Where is the money or the jewelry?”
Cody’s eyes twitched, and he muttered, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I get the blame for everything that happens here. Something goes missing, and it’s my fault. Something gets misplaced or knocked over, and it’s my fault. Everything is my fault.”
“That’s because—”
“Cass please.” TJ glanced at him, then back to Cody. “Shouting won’t solve anything. Cody, do you want Cass to be here while I talk to you? You are a minor and as such—”
“No.”
“Tough,” Cass snapped. “You’re my son, living in my house, so I’ll sit here, because you are a minor.”
“You can suggest another adult.”
“Why the hell—”
“It is my job to make sure Cody has an adult to be here with him. That adult doesn’t have to be you.
It can be someone he feels comfortable talking in front of.
As things are strained between you at present, I would suggest another adult.
” TJ kept his eyes on Cass, saw the other man’s eyes narrow, then he nodded.
“I’ll get his mother.”
“No.” Cody jumped up. “Anyone but them.”
“Carter and Toni—”
“You will do as you’re told, Cody. My house, my rules.”
TJ stood. “Cass. A word outside, please.” TJ didn’t wait for Cass to answer.
He walked outside and stood waiting. As soon as Cass joined him, he said, “There is tension between you both, so he is more than likely not going to talk if you or Emily are there. If he will talk to Carter or Toni, then let him, if it means we find out where the jewelry has gone. Forcing him to do something he doesn’t want to will only delay us from finding out what’s happened. This is my job, Cass. Let me do it.”
“I’m his father. I should be with him.”
“Yes, I understand, but you two are at loggerheads right now. We both know he’ll refuse to cooperate if you’re in there with us, so let’s bring in someone who he will talk to.
I’ll let you know what happens but give me the opportunity to ask those questions in an environment that’s less confrontational. ”
TJ could see Cass’ jaw hardening and stood his ground.
“Fine,” he spat. “I’ll ask Toni to come in.
For some reason, he likes her.” Cass spun on his heel and stormed off, and TJ exhaled heavily.
Looking back inside the room, he saw Cody watching him and smiled.
It didn’t take long for Toni to walk inside and nod after TJ briefed her.
“Cody. Can Toni sit in with us while I talk to you?”
Cody nodded, then glared at the door. “Not him though.” TJ glanced back at the doorway and walked back to it, closing the doors in front of Cass with a murmured, “I’ll let you know when I’ve finished.”
Taking a seat opposite Cody, he sighed then asked, “What’s going on, Cody?”
“They hate me. They hate having a gay kid.” Cody bit his nail, then hissed. “I didn’t take anything, but he won’t listen. He’s always blaming me for something. I can’t do anything right, so why bother?” Biting his nails again, TJ watched while going over what Cody had said.
“Where do you think Emily’s jewelry is, then?”
“I didn’t fucking take it!” Cody screamed as he jumped up. Toni gasped, hand on her stomach and Cody stared at her, then slowly sat. “Sorry.”
Rubbing his back, Toni ignored the way Cody flinched but shot a dark look at TJ, who nodded. Yes, he’d seen the way Cody had reacted to the touch. “When did you last see the missing items?”
“In her room, but that was weeks ago. I don’t go in there. Not allowed to, now I’m a gay—” Cody slammed his mouth shut.
“A gay what, Cody?”
“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“You can tell TJ anything. You know he won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Cody sneered at Toni and shrugged her hand off. “Too late for that.”
TJ’s breath caught, and he asked, “Has someone hurt you?”
“Doesn’t matter. I asked for it and I got what I wanted.” Cody shrugged.
“What did you ask for, Cody?” TJ’s mind was going in a direction that chilled him to the bone. Cody was fifteen. No way was he talking about what TJ thought he was. “Has someone touched you?”
“You think Cass would touch me like that? Fuck no. He’d have to have a bath in bleach after in case I infected him. It wasn’t him.”
TJ slowly closed his eyes. “If it wasn’t Cass, who was it?”
“Has someone hit you?” Toni reached out to Cody but let her hand fall. “Cody? What happened?”
“None of your fucking business. I asked him for it, and he gave it to me, so you can all drop it now.”
“Which bar did you go to?” Even to TJ, his voice sounded hard.
Cody scoffed. “Like I’m going to tell you that.”
“You’re fifteen, Cody. Which bar did you go to and what was the name of the man?”
Toni’s lips parted, and she looked at TJ, then Cody, when she understood. “Oh Cody.”
“Fuck you. I got what I wanted—”
“You fucking whore.” Cass stormed into the room and grabbed Cody. “You’ve been fucking men? You fucking slut—”
“Get off him, Cass.” TJ shot up and tried to get between Cody and Cass. Cody pushed TJ away and ran out of the room. TJ heard the front door bang open. “I’ll get him.” Pushing past Cass, TJ ran out into the storm.